Indian boxing champion Mary Kom qualifies as new flag dispute unfurls

Further election disputes have Indian fighters in limbo ahead of Asian Games

Karolina Michalczuk, left, of Poland defends against Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte of India during the women's flyweight boxing round of 16 on August 5, 2012, at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Jack Guez / AFP
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NEW DELHI // Five-time world women’s boxing champion Mary Kom will return to the ring at the Asian Games next month, but she may not be able to compete under the Indian flag, a top official said on Thursday.

Kom, 31, qualified for her first international competition since winning an Olympic bronze medal at the London Games in 2012 after clinching the trials in the 51-kilogram category in Patiala on Wednesday.

"It is good to be back and prove those people wrong who thought my career was over," said Kom, who had been busy promoting an upcoming Bollywood movie on her life, starring actress Priyanka Chopra.

"I think I can win a medal. Hopefully, a gold medal."

Kom won a bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

India’s boxing association has not been recognised by the sport’s world body since December 2012 because of election malpractices. It remains uncertain if the 13-strong Indian squad will compete under the national flag.

Fresh elections to a provisional body, Boxing India, are scheduled on September 11, eight days before the Asian Games open in South Korea.

But it is questionable whether the elections, already delayed once, will be held on time. A dispute continues over administrative matters between the Indian Olympic Association and the International Boxing Association.

“If the elections are not held on September 11, our boxers may not be allowed to compete under the Indian flag,” said Jiji Thomson, who heads the Sports Authority of India.

Thomson said the boxers were allowed to take part in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July only on the condition that elections would be held in the near future.

Even without an elected body, Indian boxers could compete in Korea as independent athletes if the Olympic Council of Asia accepts their entries.

The row echoes this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, when India embarrassingly marched at the opening ceremony without their national flag.

The International Olympic Committee lifted its ban on the Indian Olympic Association after it held fresh elections. The Indian flag was used at the closing ceremony.

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